In short: Route dreadfully uninteresting, and busy trafficIn full: I believe this was a new route for this year, and there were just too many dull stretches of long straight main roadsDate of review: June 12, 2006

In short: Could a better course be found in St. Albans?In full: This was my first time running my home half marathon and I was really looking forward to it. However, the heat together with the course made it nasty. If the race is going to be in June isn't it possible to send the race down the old railway line or somewhere with some shade? Specifically not along busy shadeless roads with cars going past all the time. The race was very well organised (and my massive thanks to the St John Ambulance people for looking after a mate of mine) but I won't be doing it again unless a better course is found. St Albans is a nice place, do we really have to bow to the power of the motor car so much that we can't close a few more roads on a Sunday morning to find a pleasant, but more importantly safe route?Date of review: June 12, 2006

In short: My first race - absolutely loved it.In full: I've never taken part in a race before and it's fair to say I was bricking it before we got going! But it was awesome! Running down the streets with 2000 people, people out on the streets cheering us on, Marshals and police-men all over the place making it clear we were the important people on the day. I felt fantastic. I'm not really a serious runner and just thought I'd try a long run, but I'm definitely going to put myself down for another run now.The down sides to the day - obviously, it was blazingly hot. The tracks were a little narrow at points which I could see might annoy those who were really wanting to work on a fast time, but for those not too bothered who just wanted to take part in something big it wasn't such a problem. The watering stations were excellent, but I wonder if I was the only one wishing that they weren't so well spaced out - I'd have preferred having them a little more clumped together at the end! The last section seemed really long without water to me (although I realise it wasn't really - I should have taken more care to fill up my bottle at the last station) Good parts - wonderful organisation, lovely route (although I agree the last hill was murderous - I copped out here because I could see that if I got tunnel visioned I might have ended up hitting the tarmac), great, great atmosphere. I'm definitely going to do another. On a personal note, it's a bit annoying. I'm happy with my time, but the track beat me, really. I was strong for the first 11 miles, but the hill broke me and I never quite recovered from that. The last mile was run, walk, run, walk ... Need to train a little more! Cheers for an awesome day.Date of review: June 11, 2006

In short: good event but silly hill at 11 milesIn full: heat was the biggest obstacle, too many people collapsing and requiring assistance. Lollies and medals, drinks etc excellentDate of review: June 11, 2006

In short: Good and bad on a scorching day.......In full: Some really good things: well marshalled, drink stations - on a scorching day - were mercifully frequent and evenly spaced, post run provisions (water, energy drinks, ice lollies (!), T-shirts and medals) were well above average. However, enduring memory will be of a course with a sizable, mixed-ability field being asked run on narrow, uneven pavements (went over on both ankles) or busy 'A' roads with fast flowing traffic. With the heat and a mid-morning start time, it all felt a little bit too dangerous. For a city marathon of this size (and cost?), there really must be safe and proper provision for running on at least partially closed roads. Date of review: June 11, 2006

In short: English weather - huhIn full: Very well organised event, friendly and helpful marshalls and police - but the heat. I've not run as far as that in that sort of temperature before and it was really tough. The long roads in unrelenting sun were unforgiving. People were collapsing all over the place and every St John's point seemed to be looking after someone. I can't imagine who thought that the hill at 11 miles was a good idea. In the 13 half marathons I've completed I've always managed to run the whole race, but this hill was the end. The run through the town was good and I thought the scenery was ok, even if it was along fairly busy roads. Even though I was way down on my usual time I was pleased to have finished. Date of review: June 11, 2006

In short: Preferred the new route to the old one, although I would say hillier. In full: Can't say much apart from excellent organisation and not much you can do about the heat. Plenty of water provided, maybe a sponge would have helped? I only ran to complete the run so my time was awful, but will be back next year. The hill at 11miles is not nice but it was still a lot nicer to finish through the town. Date of review: June 11, 2006